Nicholas Quirke, from Droll and Folly Theatre, has brought The Tempest indoors! Known in Brighton for his award-winning outdoor productions, director Nicholas talks about the challenges and delights of having “proper lighting” and the opportunity to create a storm at the Emporium Theatre (now known as 88 London Road).

Paul Levy talks to writer, director, and designer of The Albatross 3rd and Main, Simon David Eden, which plays during February 2016 at Emporium Brighton. A fascinating insight into the process of discovering an idea which then becomes a powerful piece of theatre.

“It’s cabaret, it’s burlesque… welcome to Cabalesque. Do you dare to step inside?” Paul Levy talks to producer and director, Roman Withers, and writer, performer and assistant director, Rosanna Bini about Cabalesque – Tales of the City which begins its journey with one performance at Emporium Brighton, with further performance lined up for 2016. The piece comes from Normal People Productions and the show benefited from artistic advice from Archie Caine.

“In every story of things that go bump in the night, there are two possibilities. One, that it’s a hoax. Two, that there is something going on beyond the grasp of the human mind”.

And so begins Black Channels’ radiophonic exploration in to the poltergeist phenomenon that forms part of this evenings immersive entertainment, alongside a talk on the folklore of death and water by James Burt, ghost stories and archive video footage, all hosted by paranormal enthusiast, Curtis James.
Real life reports of paranormal activity, otherworldly vibrations and oscillations, chilling accounts of nocturnal visitations and strange activity in the most mundane of suburban surroundings will echo around the 19th Century stone walls of Saint Andrews Church, Brighton. There are tales of hauntings in the venue itself (no longer used for worship), and it is certainly true that the burial vaults beneath the pews have yet to be removed.

Doors open at 7:30pm on 23rd August 2015. Performance starts at 8. There will be no admittance after 8.

This event is part of a series called Miniclick contacts the spirit side. It is produced in collaboration with Miniclick.

Contact Order is a piece of Forum Theatre from Speak Up! Act Out! (working with aBand of Brothers on this occasion). It plays at the Rialto Theatre, and explores ” the story of Mark as he tries to protect and maintain his parental rights. With the support of A Band of Brothers, we will take audiences on an interactive journey of theatre, debate and storytelling as we examine issues of discrimination within our society.” Based on real experiences, producer Alegna Dezlein tells us about this unique production. It plays Saturday 27th June 2015 at 7.30pm. Book here.

Paul Levy talks to writer and director Richard Franklin about The Luck of the Draw, a play described as “a domestic take on World War One based on the letters of an Officer from the Front and the reminiscences of a Private Soldier min his 93rd year.”

Paul Levy talks to director Conor Baum and and producer Mia Terry (from Bird Studios Youth Theatre Group) about Singing in the Rain which plays at Brighton’s Emporium Theatre. Apparently this legendary musical has rarely, if ever, played Brighton. Find out how this company brings the best out of their cast and claims the space at Emporium.

This was a real treat for yours truly. Joe Orton‘s darkly comic farce, What the Butler Saw comes to Emporium Brighton (produced by talking Scarlet) and I (Paul Levy) get to talk to the director and two cast members! Patric Kearns directs Brian Capron (as Dr Prentice) and Melissa Clements (who plays Geraldine Barclay) in a version that also stars Jenny Funnell (as Mrs Prentice). We chat about the play, the ghost of Joe, and much more in an interview that unravels the creation of characters, the enduring qualities of this play, and why Emporium is such a fitting venue for the piece. (Though not an official Brighton Fringe show, we have listed it under the Fringe Interviews for brighton as it runs until May 9th).

Pauline McLynn stars in East is East at the Theatre Royal Brighton. In a wide-ranging interview Pauline talks about acting for both stage and screen as well as writing novels. Pauline shares her thoughts on this enduring play and how she brings the characters she plays in theatre so effectively to the stage.

Blanche McIntyre is an award-winning director. Here Paul Levy talks to her about the “scary” prospect of directing the work of Tom Stoppard. We are taken into the rehearsal room through Blanche’s description of the process of lifting a work off the page by a writer who has been called “one of the greatest of the present”. Arcadia first premiered at the National Theatre and comes to the Theatre Royal Brighton.